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The third grader at Russellville Elementary in Decatur was airlifted to hospital after he shot himself and prayer vigils were held by family and friends as the community pulled together to wish the boy a speedy recovery.

'One of the kids yelled ‘My brother's been shot',' recounted neighbor Danny Hicks to Fox 19 about the tragic shooting.

The tragic shooting happened on February 18th at the boy¿s home. Sebastian took his father¿s gun from the bedroom and was playing with it when his sister tried to take it away when it went off

'I didn't see anybody at the time, then the mother came out carrying the young child.

'I immediately called 911 and called for a squad and called a paramedic.'

Sebastian's father, Chris, is a combat veteran who returned from his last tour of duty in 2012 after being injured in Afghanistan and was formerly a police officer.

Sadly for the boy's family, their hopes of a recovery were raised when Sebastian began to breathe on his own and reponding to touch last Wednesday.

Sebastian Swartz is believed to have become obsessed with playing with his father's Glock because of the laser sight on it (similar to the gun pictured here)

However, his condition deteriorated suddenly and his parents made the decision to remove him from life support after doctors told them he had become brain dead.

'Their father is a good man, and he's also an army combat veteran,' said Hicks.

'It's just hard to make sense of how the children even got the weapon.'

Sheriff’s Lt. Tammy Dillinger says results of the investigation were turned over to prosecutors who will probably submit it to a grand jury to determine if any charges should be filed.